Obituary of Ronald J. Pierce

. Ronald J. Pierce, age 81 formerly of Center City,Phila, died Monday (6/30) at the Elm Terrace Gardens Nursing Facility in Lansdale,Pa. Born in 1932 to Joseph Petusky and Edith Schrope and raised in the Schuylkill County anthracite coal-mining community, Ronald J. Pierce earned a B.S. at Temple University. During his first career as a pharmacist, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Mr. Pierce later became a chemistry teacher for the School District of Philadelphia; he taught at Murrell Dobbins High School and retired from Central High School after 32 years of service. Mr. Pierce remained in his beloved home city, Philadelphia, for most of his adult life. He and his late partner of 40 years, Benton H. Marshall, shared an enthusiasm for the arts, especially opera, film, literature and realistic portraiture in the school of Thomas Eakins. Together they restored a dilapidated Federal-era home in Fairmount. An admirer of Julia Child, Craig Claiborne, Simone Beck and Madhur Jaffrey, Mr. Pierce was a consummate chef, and prepared magnificent feasts and deceptively casual meals with beautiful presentation. He enjoyed shopping for food, from the Reading Terminal to specialized markets throughout the city. A shy man, Mr. Pierce showed his affection and esteem for friends, family, neighbors and artists by being a thoughtful and generous host. Despite being a city dweller, Mr. Pierce relished nature, gardening and flower arranging, and was a founding board member of the Spring Gardens Community Garden at 19th and North Streets. Mr. Pierce and his partner were enthusiastic world travelers, and preferred visiting sites of historic and archeological interest. Throughout his life, Mr. Pierce took a keen interest in current affairs and history. He followed news events closely until the last weeks of his life. Mr. Pierce died of natural causes on June 30, 2014. The eldest of seven children, he is survived by his siblings Neil Petusky (Doris), Rell Petusky (Judy), Chloe Coger (Bill) and Kerry Petusky (partner Marie), and predeceased by Miles Petusky (Judy) and Lynn Bowers. He is also survived by his beloved aunt, Harriet Ziegerman. Uncle Ronald doted on his many nieces and nephews, and kept in contact with family and friends across the United States and abroad. He is revered for supporting educational, cultural and civic endeavors; he is loved for his unflagging generosity, kindness and droll humor. Memorial contributions may be sent to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Rd. Kempton, PA 19529: www.hawkmountain.org/